Eloy Jimenez would gladly participate in the Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities in Cleveland next month.
But the Sox rookie isn't expecting an invitation to the July 8 event and doesn't believe one is coming.
Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Indians first baseman/DH Carlos Santana are the only two known participants as of Tuesday night, meaning six more spots are to be announced.
The Brewers' Christian Yelich, the Dodgers' Cody Bellinger and Mets rookie Pete Alonso are likely to be asked as the top three home run hitters and Japanese two-way player Shohei Ohtani also wants in.
Guerrero is a good friend of Jimenez, and they are among the most prominent rookie sluggers in the majors, though they're far behind Alonso.
"I saw the news," Jimenez said before Tuesday's game at Fenway Park. "I'm really happy for (Guerrero) and I hope he wins."
Asked if he also wanted in, Jimenez replied: "The time is going to come. I don't worry about that now. If they ask me, OK. If they don't, I'm good with that."
Jimenez participated in a Home Run Derby in 2017 when he played for the Cubs' Class A Carolina League team in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
How did he do?
"OK," he replied.
OK? Jimenez smashed a stadium floodlight with a monstrous home run.
Jimenez has 12 home runs _ five more than Guerrero, who has more name recognition. Jimenez is showing more power as the season goes on, with six in his last 22 games, including a 471-foot shot at Kauffman Stadium.
"Same swing," he said. "It's just now I have more games (played)."
Some hitters, including Jose Abreu, don't like being in the Home Run Derby because it affects their swing.
"Sometimes it's good because it's a good show for the people," Jimenez said. "For me, I like to do it, but at the same time, I don't."
